New early childhood education center breaks ground in Fort Myers
The Goddard School, early childhood education franchise, is set to open its first location in Fort Myers in the summer of 2026, bringing the inquiry-based learning experience to area families. The Goddard School of Fort Myers is the first location for owners Phil and Darlene DuBois, local parents who have lived in Florida for more than 40 years. The DuBois are partnering with seasoned Goddard School franchisees Dina and Matt Speranza and Kim and Scott DiMuzio, who collectively own 14 Goddard Schools with several more in development, including The Goddard School of Estero, which is slated to open in the coming months.
Located at 13541 Goldenwood Drive, the Fort Myers-located 12,500-square-foot early childhood education center will have 10 classrooms to provide care for and educate approximately 180 students from ages 6 weeks to 6 years old. Additionally, the school will add 30 teaching jobs to the community.
“We are eager to bring The Goddard School experience to the community of Fort Myers and are fortunate to be partnering with experienced Goddard School franchisees who share our deep commitment to high-quality early childhood education,” said Phil DuBois. “Our school will provide a safe, nurturing environment for the students we serve, preparing them socially, emotionally and academically for their next steps in school and in life.”
The new school will have an indoor gymnasium with a rock wall, as well as an outdoor classroom alongside multiple playgrounds. Additionally, the school will be equipped with hospital-grade sanitization equipment to ensure a healthy environment.
The DuBois’ daughter, Abigail, will be joining the school’s faculty after graduating from the University of Central Florida, where she is completing her degree in early childhood development. This reflects the family’s long-term dedication to fostering a caring, high-quality learning environment for local families and marks the beginning of a multigenerational commitment to early education.
The Goddard School’s exclusive inquiry-based education program, Wonder of Learning® embraces how children learn best-through their innate curiosity-because research confirms that when wonder leads, learning follows. Wonder of Learning features a cutting-edge curriculum developed by a diversely skilled group of educators, researchers, physicians and early childhood experts, as well as built-in assessment of academic and social-emotional progress and family communication via a proprietary app.
Inquiry-based learning, which guides the Wonder of Learning curriculum, is a teaching and learning approach that focuses on the natural curiosity and sense of wonder children bring into the classroom. With teacher-guided inquiry topics, children learn about themselves and the world around them by exploring their interests, investigating concepts and asking questions.
For more about The Goddard School and how to enroll in the new Fort Myers location, call 239-689-2699.